Wire-fence stretcher.



No. 808,023. PATBNTBD DEC. 19, 1905. W. M. DILLON.

WIRE FENCE STRBTQHER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10,1905.

' fay. 2.

V Sn-uzntom mm 72 g/ I 6cm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1905.

Application filed June '10, 1905. Serial No. 264,564:-

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, WASHINGTON M. DIL- LON, a citizen of the United States, residing such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying d rawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to devices for stretching wire, and pertains more specially to mechanism for stretching wire fencing when it is being attached to the posts in the field. It belongs to that class which are operated by an oscillating lever, and among its chief advantages are a simplicity of construction, a continuous movement of the draft-chain by the operation of the lever, and the arrange ment of the parts so that such lever can be conveniently operated from the side of the device.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device when in position. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail showing the front end of one of the ratchet-arms. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail showing the forward end of one of the ratchetarms with one of the flanges 14 cut away.

1 represents the frame, rectangular in form, in which is rotatably supported apair of similar ratchet-wheels 2. Between the wheels 2, and preferably integral therewith, is fixed a chain-drum 3.

1 is alever-socket, integral with which is a head 5, pivotally secured on the frame 1, as at a. The head 5 has alongitudinal recess 6, in which are pivotally secured the rear ends of a pair of ratchet-arms 7 7, the forward ends of which are adapted to severally engage the teeth on the ratchet-wheels 2 to rotate such wheels forwardly.

Passing over the drum 3 is a chain 8, the forward end of which is secured to a post 9 or other suitable fixture.

Each of the ratchet-arms 7 is provided with a pair of flanges 14, which engage the faces of the ratchet-wheels and prevent the arms 7 from slipping laterally out of engagement therewith.

In operation the head 5 is oscillated by means of a bar inserted in the socket 4, the forward movement of the lever causing one of the ratchet-arms 7 to engage its corresponding wheel 3 and rotate the same, resulting in the shortening of the chain 8 and the consequent drawing of the clamp-bar 11 toward the post 9. At the same time the other ratchet-arm is moved in the other direction, the end thereof sliding over one or more of the ratchet-teeth. In the return movement of the lever the operation of the ratchet-arms is reversed, the winding of the chain and stretching of the fence being thereby rendered continuous. By a slight change in the construction of the device the arms 7 can be made to operate the wheels 3 in the opposite direction, the wheels being alternately pushed by said arms instead of being pulled, as in the form shown herein. In such modified form, however, it would be necessary to draw the chain 8 around the drum from beneath, and such chain could not be so readily handled and released from the drum as in the present form, wherein the tendency of the loose end of the chain is to move downwardly and clear the drum.

It is not necessary to provide means for locking the wheels 3 from rearward movement, as the arms 7 act against each other and alternately hold the wheels and drums against any retroaction.

It will be seen that from the construction of the device and the attachment thereof to the clamp-bar when in use the plate 1 Will be in a horizontal position, with the lever extending to the side thereof. This renders the work of stretching the fence much more convenient to the operator than in similar devices wherein the lever extends upwardly or downwardly from the device. Another advantage derived is in being able to bring the clamp-bar and fence held thereby into close proximity to the post 9 by reason of the clamp-bar being supported directly by the frame of the device instead of being connected therewith with chains or other means.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

1. A device of the class named, comprising a frame, adapted to be attached to the clampbar of the fencing; a pair of similar ratchetwheels, rotatably mounted in said frame; a chain-drum, fixed between said ratchet-wheels so as to rotate therewith; a chain, engaged at one end by said drum, and adapted to be secured to a fixture at the other end; a pair of ratchet -arms,engaging saidpair of ratchetwheels, and means for actuating said ratchetarms to alternately rotate the wheels engaged thereby; substantially as shown and described.

2. In a wire-fence stretcher,the combination of a frame, adapted to be attached to the clamp bar of the fencing; a pair of similar ratchetwheels, rotatably mounted inv said frame; a chain-drum, fixed between said wheels, so as to rotate therewith; a chain, actuated by said drum; a lever-head, pivoted on said frame centrally of such head; means for suitably oscillating such head, and means for imparting the movement thereof to said wheels, to alternately rotate the same, substantially as shown and-set forth.

3. In a device of the class named the combination of the frame 1, provided with the recess 10, the pair of wheels 2 2, rotatably mounted in said frame; the chain-drum 3, fixed between the wheels 2; the chain 8, engaging the drum 3; the head 5, provided with the recess 6, and

pivoted on the upper face of the frame 1; a

and means for suitably oscillating the head 5,

substantially as and for the purpose shown.

4. In a wire-fence stretcher, the combination of the frame 1, adapted to be attached to the clamp bar of the wire fencing; a pair of ratchet-wheels 2, rotatably mounted in said frame; a chain-drum 3, located between the wheels 2, and rotating therewith; a chain 8, engaging the drum 3; the head 5, pivoted on the frame 1, and provided with the recess 6; a pair of ratchet-arms 7, pivoted in the recess 6, and provided at their free ends with flanges 14, engaging the wheels 2; a block 13, fixed on the frame 1, and limiting the movement of the head 5, and means for suitably oscillating such head; substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WASHINGTON M. DILLON.

Witnesses:

R. W. E. MITCHELL, F. A. GOULD. 

